BY RAEGAN NEUFELD
Over 1,600 toys were donated to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program last year in Ellis County, helping spread a little holiday cheer to over 450 children.
This year, drop-off boxes in Hays are located at Hays High School, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, the VFW, Ollie’s, Walgreens S & W Supply and any of the Catholic churches. Toys dropped off at these locations will go to children in Ellis County as well as children in the 14 other counties throughout northwest Kansas.
According to local coordinator Dan Dischner, the campaign has not been consistent in Ellis County throughout the years, but this is his second year as coordinator, and so far, there have been good results. He talked about the program’s impact and how he has been able to see it.
“As [a family] walked out the door, the dad turned around and said thank you, and was crying,” Dischner said. “That made my whole year. We had several of those, but I’ll always remember that. So if we can help families like that, I’ll do it every year.”
In Dischner’s words, donating toys is a way for people to “help us help needy families and needy kids.” Another way to support Toys for Tots is to donate money online.
“The money will go back to the main headquarters and then back into our account, and [donors] will get a letter for tax deduction from our headquarters in Virginia,” Dischner explained.
Money donations can be made on the Ellis County Toys for Tots website. The website also provides a link to the application for toy recipients.
Donations will be taken until December 10, and then the toys will be distributed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on December 17 at Big Creek Crossing.